OBIT-4TH-LD-SELEBI

23 Jan 2015 15:37pm

SELEBI DIED AFTER LONG ILLNESS: FAMILY
Disgraced former police chief Jackie Selebi died in hospital on Friday after a long illness, his family said.
Selebi, who would have turned 65 on March 7, died at the Jacaranda Hospital in Pretoria, family spokesman Nthato Selebi said in a statement.
"As the family we are devastated by his passing on and will remember him by his good deeds, characterised by love, compassion and humility.
"We would like to thank everyone who has sent and expressed messages of condolence to the family."
Selebi said funeral arrangements would be communicated in due course.
Minister of Justice and Correctional Service Michael Masutha sent condolences to the family.
"The importance of human life can never be overemphasised and we hope his family will gain strength to stand this test of time," he said in a statement.
Selebi was released on medical parole on July 20, 2012, after being sentenced to 15 years in jail for taking bribes from convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti.
"The department of correctional services was satisfied with his compliance with his medical parole conditions, and [he] has been frequently hospitalised," Masutha said.
According to media reports, Selebi suffered from diabetes and had kidney problems.
The former head of Interpol started serving his sentence in 2011, after being found guilty of corruption in 2010. He was released from Pretoria Central Prison on medical parole less than a year later.
Born in Johannesburg in 1950, Selebi was married to Anne and they had two children.
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